Jan. 24, 2009
Postmatch Press Conference Video
Albuquerque, N.M.- The University of New Mexico women’s tennis team defeated South Florida (0-1) 4-3 Saturday afternoon at the Randy Briggs Indoor Tennis Bubble. This was the Lobos first win of the season.
New Mexico (1-1) came away with two doubles wins. Senior Mackenzie White and sophomore Emma Hayman notched a win against Natalia Guevara and Jessica Sweeting 9-7. Seniors Maria Sotirchos and Ola Abou-Zekry also came away with a big win today against Jessica Zok and Iciri Rai 9-8. Abou-Zekry and Sotirchos had the lead and let it slowly slip away from them before battling back to tie the match at 8-8. The duo won by a 6-3 tiebreaker. Sophomores Anya Villanueva-Forte and Ashley Bonner fell to Lauren Shumate and Allyn Muller 8-4.
The Lobos also notched three singles wins sweeping the first three positions. Abou-Zekry dominated the match defeating Jessica Sweeting 6-2, 6-0.
“Compared to last week I am playing much better,” Abou-Zekry said. “Our doubles helped us win the match. In singles I just went to it right from the beginning as fast as I could.”
Also victorious was White who notched her second win of the season defeating nationally ranked Zok (No. 102) 6-3, 6-0. Along with White, Hayman also notched her second win with a victory against Rai 6-3, 6-4.
Freshman Manumea Durie lost 6-4, 6-4. Sotirchos lost a hard fought battle to Muller 6-2, 7-5. Bonner lost to Shumate 6-1, 6-1.
The Lobos will be back in action Saturday, Jan. 31 in Evanston, Ill. as they take on No. 1 Northwestern.